Switch operator



April 29, 1958 c. w. TYDEMZAN 2,832,858

SWITCH OPERATOR Filed Sept. 14, 1955 INVENTOR. CLARENCE k4 TYDEMANATTORNEYS United States Patent P SWITCH OPERATOR Clarence W. Tydeman,Redwood City, Calif. Application September'14, 1955, Serial No. 534,285

3 4 Claims. (Cl. 200-47 This invention relates to improvements inelectric switching mechanisms and has reference more particularly to aswitch operator for controlling the operation of automatic machines ofthe general type to which applicants pending application Serial No.324,805, filed December 8, 1952, now abandoned, relates.

Machines of this general type employ hydraulic rams for advancingcutting tools such as boring bars and employ hydraulic fluid under highpressure for operating the rams. The speed at which the tool advancesmust be accurately controlled for which purpose magnetically operablevalves are provided which are operated by the machine at presetintervals to change its speed or effect other changes. Such machines arecarefully adjusted and preset to perform the desired machine operationand employ for this purpose electromagnetic valves, relays,micro-switches and switch operators that function cooperatively toeffect the different changes in the cycle of the machine operation. Thepresent invention relates to a switch operator that can be readilyadjusted and positively secured in adjusted position.

Having thus described in a general way the purpose of the invention, itwill now be described in greater detail for which purpose reference willbe had to the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic representation of a quill type boring machinein connection with which the present invention has been shown;

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the switch operator showing itsrelation to an electric switch;

Figure 3 is an end elevation of the operator to an enlarged scale,looking in the direction of arrow 3 in Figure 2;

Figure 4 shows a development of the outer surface of the operator; and,

Figure 5 is a section taken on line 55 Figure 2.

Referring now to the drawing, reference numeral designates the switchoperator to which this invention specifically relates, in operativerelation to an electric switch 11 from the top of which a switch handle12 projects. Although the invention has a broader application or usethan the one illustrated in Figure 1, it will be described in connectionwith the boring machine as illustrating one use that is typical.

In Figure 1 reference numeral 13 designates the cylinder of a hydraulicram through which the tubular piston rod 14 extends. Attached to thepiston rod is an annular piston 15 that forms the subject of a separateapplication. Journaled in the piston rod is a boring bar 16 provided atits end with a cutting tool 17. Attached to the lefthand end of thepiston rod, when viewed as in Figure 1, is an arm 18, whose upper end isprovided with a plate 19 that serves as a support for motor 20. Means,which is represented by a rod 21 that is attached at its outer end toarm 18 and has a slidable connection with guide 22, serves to preventarm 18 from turning when the machine operates. Associated with the partsdescribed is a 2,832,858 Patented Apr. 29,-1958 supply of hydraulicfluid contained in sump 23 and a power driven gear pump 24 whose intakeport is connected with the sump by pipe 25 and whose delivery port isconnected with the cylinder as shown. The other end of the cylinder(right end) is provided with an outlet pipe 26-, the outlet of which iscontrolled by a needle valve 27. Extending from pipe 26 is a pipe 28that communicates with the sump and in which is positioned a normallyclosed valve 29 of the plunger type illustrated in the application aboveidentified, which is operable by means of a solenoid 30. The switch 11is normally open and is connected with the solenoid by means of acircuit 31 in which is a battery 32. When switch 11 closes valve 29opens and provides a by-pass about valve 27 to effect quick traverse ofthe tool. When switch 11 opens the tool will resume its slow motion.

As stated above the use illustrated and described is merely for thepurpose of illustration. It is to be understood, of course, that theinvention is not limited to any particular use.

Referring now to Figures 2, 3 and 4, it will be seen that the switchoperator 10 is provided with a cam whose edge 33 extends a shortdistance beyond the surface of the heel portion 34 and, as illustrated,makes slightly less than one complete turn leaving a gap 35 as shown inFigure 3. Figure 4 is a development of the outer surface of member 10.The operator or cam 10 is provided with a cylindrical shank 36 that fitssnugly in an opening in the lower end of arm 18 and is held in place bywasher 37 and cap screw 38. In the drawing the switch'll is normallyheld in open position and is closed by a downward push'on button 12. Inthe drawing, button 12 is urged against surface 34 by the spring thatkeeps the switch contacts separated. When operator 10 has moved towardsthe right until point 39 of the cam reaches button 12, further movementof member 10 will depress button 12 and close the switch. In some casesswitch 11 is normally closed and is then opened by the cam. The extentof the longitudinal movement of member 10 before the switch is operateddepends on the rotary position of the cam relative to the button 12 andin setting up the machine for a certain job the mechanic loosens the capscrew 38 and rotates the cam until it will engage and operate the switchwhen the parts reach a predetermined position. When the cam has beenproperly adjusted, screw 38 is tightened to hold it securely in place.This arrangement allows the parts to be adjusted with great accuracy andspeed.

In the drawing switch 11 has been shown directly underneath cam 10 butit is obvious that it may occupy any rotary position relative to thecam. When switch 11 is a micro-switch circuit 31 is normally providedwith a relay in the usual manner.

What is claimed as new is:

1. A switching mechanism comprising in combination, a base, an electricswitch having an upwardly extending switch handle, attached to the base,an elongated substantially cylindrical switch operator cam memberoperatively attached to the base, positioned above the switch handle andmounted for both axial and rotary movement relative to the switchhandle, said operator cam member having a cam surface spiraled about itsouter surface, the cam surface making not to exceed one complete turn,the parts being so positioned and arranged that the cam surface willengage the switch handle and operate the switch when the cam membermoves axially, the point of switch operation relative to the axialmovement of the cam surface being dependent on the rotary position ofthe cam member relative to the switch handle.

2. An adjustable switching mechanism, in combination, a base, a switchattached to the base, said switch having 0 v.3 a switch handleprojecting upwardly therefrom, an elongated, substantially cylindricalswitch operating cam member supported by the base and positioned abovethe switch handle, means for moving said cam member in an axialdirection, a cam surface spiraled about the switch operator in aposition facing the switch handle, the cam member being mounted forrotary adjustment relative to-the switch handle, whereby the distancefrom the cam surface to the switch handle in any axial position of saidcam can be changed by turning the cam member about its axis.

, 3. A mechanism in accordance with claim 2 in which the switch operatorcam member has an outer surface comprising a heel portion of one radiusand a raised cam surface of a larger radius the edge of the raisedportion which'forms a cam surface extending spirally about the operator.

4. A mechanism in accordance with claim 3 in which the raised helicalcam surface forms less than one complete turn about the heel portion.

References Cited in'the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,813,780 Tuttle July 7, 1931 1,881,719 Leach Oct. 11, 1932' 2,483,712Schaefer Oct. 4, 1949

